Senator Hassan Tours Great Bay Oyster Farms as Congress Works on Reauthorization of the Farm Bill

DURHAM – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan today toured Great Bay’s oyster farms and spoke with local oyster farmers about the current state of the industry, as Congress works to renew the Farm Bill. The boat tour was led by the NH Shellfish Farmers Initiative. 

“It was great to be here today with New Hampshire oyster farmers to get a firsthand look at the shellfish industry here on the Seacoast,” said Senator Hassan. “Not only is oyster farming important to New Hampshire’s economy, but it also has important environmental benefits. Climate change continues to impact our coastal ecosystems, including oyster farms, which is why I worked to secure a significant investment in coastal resiliency in the bipartisan infrastructure law and continue to work to support our shellfish industry in the upcoming Farm Bill.”

Senator Hassan has been working to help New Hampshire’s shellfish industry thrive. In 2021, Senator Hassan secured nearly $1 billion in critical funding for coastal resiliency in the bipartisan infrastructure law. The funding helps prevent severe erosion and restores ecological habitats, which are critical to shellfish farming on the Seacoast. The Inflation Reduction Act that Senator Hassan helped pass into law also included key investments in conservation programs that support oyster farmers. The 2018 farm bill, which Senator Hassan supported, also expanded access to federal support for aquaculture operations -- and now Congress is working on the renewal of the farm bill.

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